Automatic spacer for smokehouse trolleys



June, 19 29. LEFIELL 1,717,233

AUTOMATIC SPACER FOR SMOKEHOUSE TROLLEYS Filed April 2.7, 1.9278

INVENTOR.

. 7 H. E. LEFIELL flgt w A TTORNEYS.

Patented June 11, 1929. l V 1 UNITED; STATE 1,117 2 PATENT creme...

Arman E, narrate, orisan raancisco, cann oan a.

AUTOMATIC srAcER FOR Application filed Apri1 2 7,

'Ihisinvention relates to means for auto matically spacing hams andbacon on a smokehouse trolley or hanging frame.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means whereby thehams and bacons to be hung upon the racks will be equally spaced, and tofurther providemeans whereby the same cannot be accidentally removed.

A'further object is to produce a device of this character which iseconomical to manufacture, and one which conforms to the standardpractise employed in smokehouses A further object is to produce a deviceof this character wherein the cord supporting the hamswill not be easilyout.

A still further object is to provide a structure which is simple andneat in appearance.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure I is a perspective view of a trolley rack constructedin'accordanee with my invention, i

Figure II is an enlarged side elevation of Figure I, with the hangersremoved,

Figure III is an enlarged detail fragmentary view of a portion of therack, and

Figure IV is a cross-section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure III- At thepresent time trolley racks are employed in smokehouses, many of whichare oval in construction and consist of a bar so formed and having pegsupstanding therefrom. orindentations cut in the edge thereof. The stringof the ham, which stringis in a loop form, ishung over these pegs,generally around two pegs and by skipping every other set of pegs, thehams will be properly spaced.

The operators however oftentimes become careless in placing the hamsupon the racks with the result that if every other place is not skipped,the hams will be too close. together, and will touch each other andtherefore will not be properly cured.

I have therefore devised means whereby the same rack may be employed foreither hamsor bacons, and have further provided means whereby it isimpossible tohang the,

hams closer than the desired spaces, and at 'allel relation. 1 formationthey may be hung relatively close sivromsrrousn TRoLLEYs 1 l 19.28..Serial No. 273,423.

the same time permitting as many ba cons to be mounted on the rack asdesired.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration isshown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates abar which may be straight or formed into a rectangular shape as shown inFigure I, which bar is provided along its upper edge with notches 6 and7. Upon one side of the bar and adjacent the notches 6, I place hooks 8which hooks have I down-turnedends as shown at 9 (see Figure IV).

The result of this construction is that when the ham string is hung overthe notch 6, it will be wrapped around the hook 8 which willhold the hamin place. If the operator attempts to place the stringthrough the slot 7there would be no way of holding the string as no hooks are formedadjacent the slots 7. It therefore follows that the operator can onlyhang a ham in the slots 6,

hams. The bacons are hung upon hooks in par- As the bacons are of slabtogether, and yet will have suflicient space therebetween to receive aproper curing. As hooks are employed for the bacon, it is obvious thatthe slots 6 and 7 will serve to properly space them. The hooks 8 are notnecessary to their hanging.

It will thus be seen that I-have provided a verysimple device foraccomplishing all the objects herein set forth. l It is to be understoodthat the .form of my invention herewith shown and described is tobetaken as a preferred example of the other, hooks secured to said bar,each of said hooks being positioned in proximity to each alternate notchand a cord for supporting each ham, bacon or the like, being trainedthrough each alternating notch and con nected to said hook whereby thearticles are spaced one from the other and contact of said articles isprevented.

2. An automatic spacing device for supporting hams, hacons and the likecomprising a substantially rectangular frame having a plurality ofnotches formed therein and spaced one from the other, a plurality ofhooks secured on the inner surfaceof said frame, each of said hooksbeing positioned in proximity to each alternate notch and a cord forsupporting each ham, bacon or the like being trained through eachalternating notch and connected to said hook whereby the articles arespaced one from the other and contact of said articles is prevented.

In testimony wl1er'eof,1 aflix m signature.

' ALFRED E. LEFIELL.

